Container seal and its application to containers



Sept. 9, 1941. E. R. REHFELD 2,255,570

CONTAINER SEAL AND ITS APPLICATION TO CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 50, 1936 izfeld.

Sept. 9, 1941. E. R. REHFELD CONTAINER SEAL AND ITS APPLICATION To CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 50, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 42112 l of'igg,

Patented Sept. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER SEAL AND ITS APPLICATION TO CONTAINERS Earl R. Rehfeld, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 30, 1936, Serial No. 108,326

4 Claims.

This invention relates to containers and more particularly to container seals and their method of application to containers to serve as indicating means therefor in order to discourage the repeated use thereof as refill containers, although certain features thereof may be employed with advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of a novel method of sealing and/or attaching an indicating medium so as to comprise a permanent part of a container and require impairment thereto to a degree sufficient to indicate the status thereof as an originally filled or refilled container.

Numerous types of expedients have heretofore been proposed for precluding the use of a container for refill purposes without detection, since it is advantageous that the status of the containcr be known to "the purchasing public from a standpoint of comprising an originally filled or refilled commodity. This is especially important in the commercial exploitation of liquors that are prone to be counterfeited and boot-- legged by the placement of inferior contents in a container that was designed, labeled and first used for the genuine contents that may or may not be noted, specified and identified on the exterior thereof.

The most popular form of expedient commercially resorted to at the present time is the provision of a carton that confines the original container and requires mutilation in order to render access to the container confined therein. While this expedient serves as a detector to preclude counterfeitingof the contents, yet it is not entirely infallible and renders necessary an appreciable expense both in the provision of the additional carton and the equipment necessary to provide the sealed container. This entails a substantial investment and after the carton has been removed for demonstration or other purposes, there still is a possibility of utilizing the container as a refill for commodities or contents of inferior grade or quality to those specified or identified thereon.

Then, too, the purchasing public must be informed through extensive advertising and otherwise that the container itself does not constitute the original package without the confining carton, thereby providing opportunities for counterfeiting to the purchasing public that is not informed regarding the sealed carton that originally enclosed the container. Then, too, difficulty has been encountered in providing, a commercially and a glass container practical method of applying a permanently attached'sealing medium, since present production operations in the filling of containers renders .it necessary to apply the sealing medium without interfering with the continuity of production operations or entailing any appreciable expense or"time requirements therefor. 'No sealing devices of any consequence have heretofore been regarded as effective or capable of application on a production basis so that they could not be generally adopted to serve their'intended purposes unless intricate special machinery is provided and interruption to the continuity of present production operations is effected. While many attempts have heretofore been made to fuse seals to the glass body of containers, yet these have proven impractical and, therefore, incapable of commercial adoption.

One object of the present invention is to simplify and improve the construction as well as the effect of container detectors to preclude the use thereof as a refill for commodities that are not genuine.

Another object is to provide a sealing detector comprising a permanent adjunct "to acontainer that requires some degree of detectable mutilation in order to enable contents removal.

Still another object is to provide a new'and more effective expedient for effecting the fused joinder between a metallic cap or guard member utilized in conjunction therewith.

A further object is to provide a container with a cap or guard having cooperating or inter-engaging expedients that permit their fused joinder so as to preclude removal of the container contents without some permanent mutilation there- A still further object is to provide means for effecting the fused joinder of a metallic closure with a glass container so as to require sufficient mutilation thereto in efiecting the opening thereof for contents removal to preclude the use-of the container as a refill:

Still a further object is to provide formations on a glass container simultaneous to the application of a sealing element serving as a complement thereof to effect fused permanent attachment to the container body for suitably connecting a closure guard or cap thereto to preclude the use of a container as a refill medium.

An additional 'object is to provide a novel method of applying sealing mediums of the character mentioned to a glasscontainer body soas'to render such practical'forproduction operations tainers.

"as a" complement of 2 '7 v r in conjunction with the content filling of con- Still'an additional object is to provide a. inetallic seal having overlapping portions per- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a container having sealing medium embodying features of the present invention.

Figure'2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 11-11 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a metallic closure and sealing device embodying features of the present invention and illustrated in conjunc tion with the container shown iniFigure 1.

V Figure '4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container body having formations provided there on in the process of applying the sealing medium of the type shown in Figure 3. 1

'Figure'5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container body provided with a modified sealing medium embodying features of the present in vention. V

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially alcng'line VIVI of Figure5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of'a container 7 having a still further modified sealing device em-.

bodying features of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.

closure guard comprising an element of the sealing medium shown in Figures 7 and Figure- 10 is a perspective view of a sealing strap that is 'intendedfor fused joinder to serve the closuremember shown inFigure 9 V The structure selected for illustration compris'es a container Wmolded or otherwise shaped from any suitable material such as glass to pro- 1 Figure 9 is a perspective view of a container vide the usual and customary reduced neck ll 1 v I that terminates in an orifice l2 defined by an 1 enlarged peripheral region I 3. The peripheral region "I3 is reinforced for strength to define the mouth of the container H) for content filling and i discharge purposes. The form and configuration of the container 10 together with its neck I I V The container l0 may, however, be and usually formed with an external thread l6 (Figure 6) to I receive, in this instance, a metallic closure l1 as a substitute for the plain guard or cap l5 (Fig ures' 1 to 3).. The closure l1 envelops the-orifice region I3 and closes the opening defined by the orifice l 2 so asto compress the interiorly confined cork l4 toseal the contents of the container l0 1 and prevent accidental discharge of the contents vtherethrough; The metallic'closure or cap 5 i and content filling and discharge orifice I2 is capable of wide variation and depends largely' upon the purpose of its use and the commercial practice.

dictates of I shaped to provide'a cylindrical configuration having' threads spun or stamped therein to serve as a complement to the threads l5 of the container orifice region I3 so as to establish a detachable connection therewith.

To seal the contents in the container l6 and to provide detection as to the original removal thereof by necessary mutilation of a sealing means before access to the interior is available an elongated metallic sealing strap {8 is provided between the body of the container [9 and the metallic guard closure E5 or I! (Figures 1 to/i or 5 to 6). To this end, the metallic sealing strap I8 is integrally joined at one extremity I 9 thereof to the closure guard I5 (Figures l to 3) or the metallic screw cap I1 (Figures 5 .to 6) with its other extremity provided with one or more apertures 2|, in this instance two, to enable permanent attachment to the container ill by fusing with corresponding complemental protruding pcrtions 22 formed on the container body If! during the production thereof as will appear more fully hereinafter. 7 It should be noted that. the strap l8 isxappreciably longer than the distance'between the point of closure attachment l9. and the projecting portions 22 of the container body in, this is for the purpose of providing overlapping intermediate strap portions 23 and 24 that preferably though not essentially are defined by parallel crease or score lines 25,- 26 and 21 transversely impressed in the strap 8 to facilitate and render uniform the overlapped folding of the strap It so that the portions 23' and 24 will contact each other and extend transversely outward to bring the closure guard l5 intooperative engagement with the cork I4 (Figure 1) from its inoperative displaced position beyond the cork closure the container orifice I2 (FigureZ) Y 5 .The'metallic strap l8 may comprise an integral member as described in connection with the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 or such maybe provided in two separate sections I 9 and 20' having complemental portions 23 and24' (Figures 5 to 10). In any event, the overlapping portions 23-24 or 23'-24 are preferably joined and permanently attached after the closure guards l5 and/or l! are displaced to their operative closed position in engagement with the cork M by spot welding in a continuity of operations andin the proper timed sequence .of steps. The, overlapped folding of the strap portions 23.-24' as well as the spot welding is preferably effected subsequent to fusing the'strap extremity 20 or 20 with the container body It] or Iii as will present- 1y appear. It is important that the overlapping portions 23-24 or 2324' of the sealingstrap 18 or l8 are permanently joined by fusing or preferably welding so that there is a cohesive -to the body of the container [0. or I 0', is preferably effected during the production of the.

container body ID while it is being blown to assume any predetermined shape.- In its. construction, a mold comprising a plurality of sectional members (not shown) are shaped to provide an interior cavity that conforms withthe intended shape of the container body Ill. sections of the mold may be held together in any suitable manner, and the details of construction l4 and p The may vary depending upon the dictates of com mercial practice and the requirements of any particular type of container. Sufiice it to say that the mouth region I3 is first completed in the ordinary course of production prior to blowing or otherwise forming the container body H) or ID and the mold is provided in the vicinity of the neck forming position with means to retain one or more sealing members |8 or IS in a preeven more may be used depending upon the dictates of commercial practice. For that reason, reference to the provision of a single sealing member I8 or l8 should not be construed as a limitation or a requirement, but merely an arbitrary selection and may be varied from a single sealing member to any number that may be found necessary or most practical within the dictates of commercial practice. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, however, one sealing strap l8 or I8 is provided in the container l and, consequently, it is disposed adjacent the interior surface of one of the sectional mold members. In consequence thereof, the strap member |8 or l8 may be shaped or curved to conform with the interior neck and shoulder of l the container mold cavity or the exterior, contour of the resultant container body l!) or It), With the sealing strap I8 or l8 formed to assume the corresponding shape of the container neck and shoulders, its adjacent portions 23-24 or 23'24' are bent to extend outwardly in a horizontal plane, thereby conveniently enabling their joinder by spot welding or the like.

As previously stated, the sealing strap H3 or 4 l8 has, in this instancaits extremity provided with apertures 2| that register with correspondingly shaped and spaced bores formed on the inner surface of the sectional mold members and in axial registry therewith to effect a joinder of the sealing strap extremity v2|! or 2| with the body of the container ID or ID. This is accomplished by pouring glass in molten condition in the mold members having the strap l8 or l8 previously set therein so as to form the body of the container H) responsive to the customary blowing operation. As a result, molten glass will be blown through the apertures 2| or 2| of the sealing strap extremity 2B or 20' to form enlarged glass heads 38 on the ends of the projecting body portions 22 (Figure 4) simultaneously formed integral with the container body In or ID to effect attachment of the sealing member extremity 20 or 2|! with the body of the container ID or Hi.

It will be observed that the enlarged glass heads comprise a part of container body H! or ID and is formed integral therewith so as to preclude the removal of the sealing strap H3 or l8 without mutilation thereto or breaking the heads 35. Containers I0 or H! are thus formed with the lower portion 20 or 29' of the sealing strap i8 or I8 permanently attached thereto. The laterally directed overlap 24 of the sealing strap |8 will extend substantially in horizontal alignment with and adjacent the overlap 23 provided on that portion IQ of the strap; l8 which is integrally or otherwise attached to the "guard cap l5 or the closure cap I'L- fter the container ID has been filled with the desired contents, vthe closure I4 is inserted and the cap or closure I5 is telescoped thereover or the closure cap I1 is screwed or otherwise associated with the orifice region l3 of the container l0 so that the sealing strap portion 23 will overlap the corresponding portion 24 of the lower half 20 thereof for adjacent contacting alignment.

In this position, contact is established between the overlaps 23-424 of the sealing strap l8 so that such may be spot welded or otherwise connected for permanent joinder depending upon the requirements or dictates of commercial practice. With this arrangementgthe closure guard |5 or cap I1 is sealed to the container H! or ID that establishes the permanent connection thereof with the sealing strap extremity 20 or 20. In order to render possible the removal of the contents from the container I0 or IE), it is necessary to rupture or sever the sealing strap l8 or it to accomplish the removal of the .closure guard I5 or cap i1. Such rupture or severance is of a permanent character and indicates that the container. It or ID has once been opened and is not an original or genuinely filled container in view of the ruptured sealing strap or closure guard l4 and/or cap |'|.f

The sealing member l8 or l8 may be most conveniently ruptured or severed along its transverse score lines 25 or 21, since these are lines of greater weakness than the otherwise solid sealing strap I8 or Q l8. It will be observed that an effective sealing medium has been provided that can be utilized without disrupting productions operations in the filling of containers and their sealing, since spot welding can be effected as a step in production operations and the protection feature of the sealing strap [8 or- I8 joined to the container H! or H! during or subsequent to the content filling operation.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing herein shall be construed as limitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A glass bottle seal comprising in combination, a lower perforate glass-sealed metal portion permanently sealed directly with the bottle wall by integral portions of the glass of said wall which project through said perforate metal portion in interlocking relationship therewith and constitute said perforate metal portion an integral part of said wall, said perforate metal portion having a portion upstanding from said glass seal in parallelism with the major axis of the bottle, and a metal cap covering the bottle mouth and having an apron embracing the bottle neck and an integral tearing strip portion depending in said axial parallelism from the lower edge of said apron, the aggregate axial dimensions of said tearing strip portion and said upstanding portion being greater than the axial distance between the lower edge of said apron and said glass seal whereby said tearing strip 4 7 portion and'said upstanding'portion are disposed in lapped relationship, and means uniting the lapped ends of said portions into an integral strip the maximum' axial dimension of WhiCh iS not greater than said axial distance, thereby ,connectlng said perforate glass-sealed portion in-sealed relationship with said cap.

2. A glass bottle seal comprising in combina- 7 tion, a lower perforate glass-sealed metal portion neck and an integral tearing strip portion depending in said axial parallelism from the lower edge of said apron, the aggregate axial dimensions of said tearing strip portion and said upstanding portion being greater than the axial distance between the lower edge of said apron and said glass seal thereby said tearing strip portion and said upstanding portion are disposed in lapped relationship and bent axially to form a tearing tab, and means uniting the lapped ends of said portions into an integral strip the maximum axial dimension; of which is not greater than said axial distance, thereby connecting said perforate glass-sealed portion in sealed relationship with said cap. r V

I 3. A glass bottle seal comprising, in combination, a lower perforate glass-sealed metal portion permanently sealed directly with the bottle wall by integral portionsof the glass of said wall which project through said perforate metal portion l in interlocking relationship therewith and consti-' tute said perforate 'metal portion an integral part of said wall, said perforate metal portion having a portion upstanding fromsaid glass seal in parallelism with the major axis of the bottle, and ametal cap covering the bottle mouth and having an apron embracing the bottle neck and an integral tearing strip portion depending in said axial parallelism from the lower edge of said apron, the aggregate'axial dimensions of said tearing strip portion and said upstanding portion being greater than the axial distance between the lower edgeof'said apron and said glass seal, whereby said tearing strip portion andsaid upstanding portion are disposed in lapped rela tionship, and a spot weld uniting the lapped ends of said'portions into an integral strip the maximum faxial dimensioncf which is not greater than said axial distance, thereby connecting said perforate glass-sealed portion in sealed relation ship with said cap. I

4.: A glass bottle seal comprising in combination a lower perforate metal portion permanently connected to the bottle wall by integral portions thereof which extend through said perforate metal portion, said metal portion having a metallic tongue projecting upwardly therefrom substantially at right angles to the base of said bottle, a metal cap provided with an apron for embracing the bottle neck, said cap having a metal tearing strip projecting downwardly therefrom into lapping relation with said metal tongue portion and means for permanently uniting said tearing strip and metal tongue so that the axial distance between said bottle mouth and the point i of connection of said first named metallic portion is fixed, to thereby form a permanent seal for said bottle.

' EARL R. REHFELD. 

